The officials say the attack happened early on Friday south the city of el-Arish when militants fired an RPG at an armored car at the checkpoint, killing 40-year-old Lt. Col. Ahmed Mahmoud.

The attack also wounded a policeman who was taken to hospital and was reported to be in critical condition.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Militant attacks in Sinai have been on the rise since the 2011 uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak. Criminals have also taken advantage of the security vacuum to attack police stations, security convoys and other targets.